Samford University awarded degrees to more than 1,300 students during six commencement ceremonies held on campus April 26-27.
This commencement season was a special one for the class of 2024. The graduates, who did not get to experience normal high school graduation ceremonies, started at Samford during the Covid-19 pandemic and their 2020 freshman walk was cancelled due to related restrictions. President Emeritus Andrew Westmoreland, who was president when the class started at Samford, joined them on their postponed freshman walk up Centennial Walk. Then, President Beck A. Taylor escorted the group on their senior walk, the official kick off to commencement weekend, back down Centennial Walk.
Ceremonies for Beeson Divinity School, Brock School of Business, Orlean Beeson School of Education, and the undergraduate College of Health Sciences commencement were held on Friday, April 26. Graduates from Cumberland School of Law, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts and graduate students from the College of Health Sciences were honored during commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, April 27. President Beck A. Taylor presided over each one.
Three awards were presented to students, including the John C. Pittman Spirit Award, the President’s Cup and the Velma Wright Irons Award.
This year, five students received the Pittman Spirit Award which recognizes graduates who consistently exhibit Christian character in community life. The recipients were:
- Micaiah Collins (Orlean Beeson School of Education)
- McNeil Honea (Brock School of Business)
- Isabella Lopez (Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing)
- Addison Toy (Howard College of Arts and Sciences)
- Paisley Williams (Howard College of Arts and Sciences)
Liliana Nicole Hatch in the School of Health Professions received the President’s Cup as the graduate with the highest grade point average. Maria “Luna” Mora in Brock School Business received the Velma Wright Irons Award for the graduate with the second highest cumulative grade point average.
Read more about the individual ceremonies by visiting the links below:
Cumberland School of Law: Alumnus and Former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Shares Career Lessons with Cumberland School of Law Class of 2024
College of Health Sciences: CHS Recognizes 587 Graduates During Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Brock School of Business, Orlean Beeson School of Education: Shipt and Landing Founder Inspires Business and Education Graduates During Spring Commencement
School of the Arts, Howard College of Arts and Sciences: Samford’s School of the Arts and Howard College of Arts and Sciences Celebrate Spring 2024 Graduates
Beeson Divinity School: Beeson Celebrates Spring Commencement with 22 Graduates